United Kingdom (UK)
WTW's Nicolas Aubert on being bold to thrive in a global market
In a volatile geopolitical landscape, Nicolas Aubert, head of GB, Willis Towers Watson and current president of the Insurance Institute of London, urges the market to take the opportunity to rethink its position and think globally.
Competition watchdog urged to take further action on MFN clauses
Insurers, brokers and price comparison sites have welcomed a Competition and Markets Authority investigation into Compare the Market’s use of a controversial clause that prevents home insurers from offering cheaper prices elsewhere, but brokers argue…
This month: Cavities and complaints
As whiplash legislation speeds through parliament, claims management companies have increasingly been looking into other avenues to keep the coffers full and cavity wall insulation claims have spiked. CMCs may be the industry’s own bugbear, but this…
Medco starts consultation on whiplash portal
Medco has started consulting over the creation of a 'litigants in person' portal on the back of the government's whiplash Bill.
Compare the Market accused of breaking law over ‘most favoured nation’ clause
Compare the Market may have broken the law by preventing home insurers from offering lower prices elsewhere, the competition watchdog has warned.
Thousands of suspected uninsured drivers issued automated warnings every day
An automated data analysis scheme operated by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is issuing warnings to up to 3000 uninsured drivers every day.
Penny Black's social world: November 2018
More mudders, netball’s Neville and an eye mask event
Arron Banks faces criminal investigation over Brexit financing
The National Crime Agency has opened an investigation into Eldon Insurance boss Arron Banks, following a referral from the Electoral Commission.
McLarens secures alternative private equity backing
McLarens' largest private equity backer has sold its stake in the company.
Ardonagh sells commercial MGA to Arch for £31m
The Ardonagh Group will sell its commercial underwriting business to Arch for £31m.
Analysis: Are cavity wall insulation claims the new PPI?
Insurers are seeing a spike in people claiming improper installation of cavity wall insulation. Is this the new money spinner for CMCs?
Analysis: Insuring for Brexit
How can insurers help customers facing Brexit uncertainly when they themselves face taking a blind bet on whether the UK will face a hard or soft deal when leaving the European Union? David Worsfold investigates.
Pricing practice changes would put the onus on insurers to charge a 'fair price'
Large insurers with big books of home insurance business could lose out following pricing practices review, but profitability is unlikely to be "heavily dented", ratings agency says.
Revealed: The future of Ed and Besso under BGC
A holding company will be established for Ed and Besso, with Steve Hearn as group CEO. However the two BGC-owned brokers will remain separate companies.
Thomas Miller partners with hospital ship charity
Thomas Miller has launched its new corporate social responsibility programme, with a three-year partnership with the international medical charity, Mercy Ships.
Charles Taylor's tech arm launches grad scheme
Charles Taylor Insuretech, has launched a three-year graduate programme, that will see graduates work across project management, business analysis, service delivery, architecture, data and analytics, and information security.
Government’s ban on combustible cladding insufficient, warn insurers
The government’s ban on combustible materials limited to high rise buildings over 18m is not sufficient and should be considered for a wider range of buildings, insurers have warned.
Direct Line to automate its two millionth transaction on Friday
Direct Line now automates 70,000 transactions a week and anticipates hitting the two million milestone by the end of the week.
Reich Group buys Stockport broker
Manchester-based Reich Group has bought LJM Insurance Brokers.
Erskine Murray opens rebranded North West office
Erskine Murray has rebranded Offley Insurance Services, establishing the broking firm’s first branded office in the North West.
Axa signs £30m capacity deal with SME MGA
Axa has agreed a £30m three-year capacity deal with SME managing general agent Origin UW.
Insurers may be guilty of price discrimination, finds FCA
Insurers may not have sufficient oversight of pricing practices, which could mean some customers are paying significantly higher premiums than those who have similar risk profiles, according to an official review.
BP Marsh boosts its stake in Nexus
BP Marsh's announcement of its purchase of a 1.9% stake in managing general agent Nexus.
Editor's comment: Only yourselves to blame
Over the past two-and-a-half years, I have written in this column no less than three articles urging insurers to act on the problem of dual pricing.